Scoring a 36 on the ACT is by no means an easy feat, but one Grafton student showed that it is, indeed, possible.

Alaina Knier, a Grafton High School senior, got her perfect score the second time taking the test. She had actually recorded a 33 on her previous attempt, but wanted to improve her math score to help with college applications. Knier bought an official ACT math book and studies it, along with taking practice tests online.

"I didn't have any hope or dream to get a 36 on the ACT. My main goal was to improve my math score because everything else was really high, but my math (score) was a bit lower," Knier said.

During a college tour at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, Knier decided to check on her score.

"I went into the site, and I saw it. The first thing I felt was, 'Did they get it right?'" Knier said. "'Is that what my score is supposed to be?' And so, I was in shock and stunned. My mom was with me, so I said, 'Mom, I think I just got a 36 on my ACT.' We were very excited, of course. It was definitely a surreal moment."

According to data from ACT.org, only 2,760 students in the nation from the class of 2017 achieved a 36 composite score, making her achievement a rare one.

"We are certainly thrilled for Alaina and proud of her accomplishments. Scoring a 36 on the ACT is definitely a rare feat, and very few students can claim that, so we are absolutely very proud of her. It certainly speaks to her intelligence and her work ethic as well," said Grafton High School Principal Scott Mantei.

An example of Knier's intelligence and work ethic can be seen in the type of classes she's taking. After taking two Advanced Placement classes last year in psychology and biology, she decided to take six this year: macroeconomics, physics, English literature and composition, calculus, Spanish and microeconomics. Knier is also taking a capstone course, biomedical innovations, for Project Lead The Way as part of its biomedical science program.

Knier is considering several colleges, including Northwestern, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Toronto, Northeastern, Johns Hopkins University, Boston College and the University of Minnesota -Twin Cities. She said Washington University in St. Louis is her top choice, and that she wants to study biomedical research.

Knier said she's always had an intrinsic drive to do her best.

"It's important for me to both prove to myself that I can do it and to set myself up for success as best as I can," Knier said.